Apparatus for indicating the formation of ice on a road

ABSTRACT

Apparatus ( 2 ) for indicating the formation of ice on a road ( 4 ), which apparatus ( 2 ) comprises a plurality of road marker reflector devices ( 6 ) for reflecting light from vehicles, a temperature sensor ( 8 ) for sensing temperatures above and below those temperatures at which ice forms on the road, and a solar powered electricity providing device ( 10 ), and the apparatus ( 2 ) being such that: the road marker reflector devices ( 8 ) are of a first colour at temperatures above which the ice may form, and are of a second colour at temperatures below which the ice may form; the road marker reflector devices ( 6 ) change between the first and second colours in response to an electric current; and the road marker reflector devices ( 8 ) change from the first colour to the second colour and from the second colour to the first colour when the electric current is a non-continuous electric current, whereby a continuous electric current is not required to maintain the road marker reflector devices ( 6 ) in the first or second colour, and whereby consumption of electricity from the solar powered electricity providing device ( 10 ) is minimised.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to apparatus for indicating the formation of ice on a road.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Ice on roads is a danger to persons travelling on the roads. Often ice can form suddenly, and the ice can often form in local areas. Often motorists are taken by surprise when they encounter the ice, and accidents often occur. The ice may be normal ice, or what is known as black ice which is often difficult to see, especially by motorists travelling at speed.

Temperature sensitive road marking devices are known which change from a first colour indicative of ice not being present on a road, to a second colour indicative of ice being present on the road.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an aim of the present invention to improve on the known devices for indicating the formation of ice on a road.

Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention there is provided apparatus for indicating the formation of ice on a road, which apparatus comprises a plurality of road marker reflector devices for reflecting light from vehicles, temperature sensor means for sensing temperatures above and below those temperatures at which ice may form on the road, and solar powered electricity providing means, and the apparatus being such that:

-   -   (i) the road marker reflector devices are of a first colour at         temperatures above which the ice may form, and are of a second         colour at temperatures below which the ice may form;     -   (ii) the road marker reflector devices change between the first         and second colours in response to an electric current;     -   (iii) the temperature sensor means causes a first electric         current to be passed from the solar powered electricity         providing means to the road marker reflector devices for causing         a change of colour from the first colour to the second colour         consequent upon the temperature sensor means sensing a         temperature below which the ice may form on the road, whereby         the road marker reflector devices reflect light of the second         colour and indicate that ice is on the road;     -   (iv) the temperature sensor means causes a second electric         current to be passed from the solar powered electricity         providing means to the road marker reflector devices for causing         a change of colour from the second colour to the first colour         consequent upon the temperature sensor means sensing a         temperature above which the ice may form on the road, whereby         the road marker reflector devices reflect light of the first         colour and indicate that ice is not on the road; and     -   (v) the road marker reflector devices change from the first         colour to the second colour and from the second colour to the         first colour when the electric current is a non-continuous         electric current, whereby a continuous electric current is not         required to maintain the road marker reflector devices in the         first or second colour, and whereby consumption of electricity         from the solar powered electricity providing means is minimised.

The apparatus of the present invention will be of advantage to all of motorists including, for example, drivers of cars, buses, lorries, vans, coaches and motorcycles. The apparatus will act to help prevent accidents due to vehicles sliding on ice.

The apparatus may be one in which there is one of the temperature sensor means for the plurality of the road marker reflector devices, whereby the temperature sensor means is remote from the road marker reflector devices in use of the apparatus. The temperature sensor means may be positioned alongside a road, for example on a hard shoulder or on a pavement.

Alternatively, the apparatus of the present invention may be one in which each one of the road marker reflector devices is provided with its own temperature sensor means, whereby the temperature sensor means forms part of the road marker reflector device in use of the apparatus.

The apparatus may be one in which there is one of the solar powered electricity providing means for the plurality of the road marker reflector devices, whereby the solar powered electricity providing means is remote from the road marker reflector devices in use of the apparatus. In this case, the solar powered electricity providing means may be positioned adjacent the remote temperature sensor means. If desired, the solar powered electricity providing means and the temperature sensor means may be formed as a single unit.

Alternatively, the apparatus may be one in which each one of the road marker reflector devices is provided with its own solar powered electricity providing means. The solar powered electricity producing means may then form part of the road marker reflector device.

In all embodiments of the invention, the road marker reflector devices may be electrochromic road marker reflector devices. The electrochromic road marker reflector devices may each comprise a transparent housing, first and second conductors, an ion storage part, an electrolyte ion conductor, an electrochromic layer, and switch means connecting the first and second conductors. Preferably, the apparatus is one in which the electrolyte ion conductor is positioned between the ion storage part and the electrochromic layer, and in which the ion storage part and the electrochromic layer are positioned between the first and second conductors. The transparent housing is preferably made of glass. Other transparent materials may be employed if desired.

In all embodiments of the invention, the road marker reflector devices may alternatively be light emitting diodes. Each light emitting diode may be such as to change colour from the first colour to the second colour. Alternatively, only some of the light emitting diodes, e.g. 50%, may be provided with current to emit the first colour, and only some of the light emitting diodes may be provided with current to emit the second colour, the current then causing the appropriate light emitting diodes to light up.

The road marker reflector devices may be such that the first colour is white. The first and the second colours may be any suitable colours as required for road safety.

The apparatus of the present invention may be one in which the road marker reflector devices each comprise a metal body, and a flexible support portion secured in the metal body, the metal body being for being positioned in a hole in a road. The flexible support portion is preferably made of rubber but other suitable and appropriate flexible materials may be employed. Such a road marker reflector device may be of the same type of construction employed in the well known cat's eyes.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the road marker reflector devices may each comprise a body having a flat bottom portion for being stuck in position on a road. Such a construction may generally follow the known road marker reflector devices which are stuck on roads. Thus the road marker reflector devices of the present invention may each have an adhesive material on the flat bottom portion, with the adhesive becoming sticky and suitable for sticking to a road if they are briefly heated in a flame.

The solar powered electricity providing means is preferably a solar panel device. Other constructions may be employed. Generally, the solar powered electricity providing means may operate as known solar powered electricity providing means. The generated electricity may be used directly, or it may be stored in storage devices such as batteries or capacitors for subsequent use as appropriate. The storage devices enable electricity generated during the day when sun is likely to be available, to be used at night when ice is often more likely to form than during the day.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows first apparatus of the present invention for indicating the formation of ice on a road;

FIG. 2 shows second apparatus of the present invention for indicating the formation of ice on a road; and

FIG. 3 shows in detail the construction of an electronic road marker reflector device used in the apparatus of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown apparatus 2 for indicating the formation of ice on a road 4. The apparatus 2 comprises a plurality of road marker reflector devices 6 for reflecting light from vehicles (not shown). The apparatus 2 also comprises temperature sensor means 8 for sensing temperatures above and below those temperatures at which ice may form on a road. The apparatus 2 further comprises solar powered electricity providing means 10.

The apparatus 2 is such that the road marker reflector devices 6 are of a first colour at temperatures above which the ice may form, and which are of a second colour at temperatures below which the ice may form. The road marker reflector devices 6 change between the first and second colours in response to an electric current.

The temperature sensor means 8 causes a first electric current to be passed from the solar powered electricity providing means 10 to the road marker reflector devices 6 for causing a change of colour from the first colour to the second colour consequent upon the temperature sensor means 8 sensing a temperature below which the ice may form on the road 4, whereby the road marker reflector devices 6 reflect light of the second colour and indicate that ice is on the road 4.

The temperature sensor means 8 causes a second electric current to be passed from the solar powered electricity providing means 10 to the road marker reflector devices 6 for causing a change of colour from the second colour to the first colour consequent upon the temperature sensor means 8 sensing a temperature above which the ice may form on the road 4, whereby the road matter reflector devices 6 reflect light of the first colour and indicate that ice is not on the road 4.

The road marker reflector devices 6 change from the first colour to the second colour and from the second colour to the first colour with the electric current being a non-continuous electric current. Thus a continuous electric current is not required to maintain the road marker reflector devices 6 in the first or second colour. Thus consumption of electricity from the solar powered electricity providing means 10 is minimised.

The apparatus 2 is easily able to be installed. The road marker reflector devices 6 are able to be installed anywhere as desired along the road 4. Thus, for example, in FIG. 1 they are shown being installed along the middle of the road 4. If desired, they may be installed along edges of the road 4, for example to indicate a curb or to indicate an exit from the road 4. The road marker reflective devices 6 are connected together by wires 12 so that the current from the solar powered electricity providing means 10 is able to pass to all of the road marker reflector devices 6.

As can be appreciated from FIG. 1, there is one of the temperature sensor means 8 for the plurality of the road marker reflector devices 6. Thus the temperature sensor means 8 is remote from the road marker reflector devices 6 in use of the apparatus 2. Similarly, it will be seen from FIG. 1 that there is one of the solar powered electricity providing means 10 for the plurality of the road marker reflector devices 6. Thus the solar powered electricity providing means 10 is remote from the road marker reflector devices 6 in use of the apparatus. The temperature sensor means 8 and the solar powered electricity providing means 10 may be provided alongside the road 4, for example on a hard shoulder or on a pavement. The temperature sensor means 8 and the solar powered electricity providing means 10 are able to service any suitable and appropriate number of the road marker reflector devices 6. The apparatus 2 as shown in FIG. 1 can be provided in modular units, with each unit having sufficient road marker reflector devices 6 to be installed over a suitable and appropriate length of the road 4.

The apparatus of the invention, e.g. as shown in FIG. 1, may be such that the road marker reflector devices are electrochromic road marker reflector devices, light emitting diode road marker reflector devices, or any other suitable and appropriate road marker reflector devices.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown an alternative embodiment of the present invention. More specifically, FIG. 2 shows a single road marker reflector device 14. This road marker reflector device 14 is for use in apparatus of the present invention, and a plurality of the road marker reflector devices 14 will be provided along a road, such as the road 4 shown in FIG. 1. With the road marker reflector devices 14, each road marker reflector device 14 will, as shown in FIG. 1, have its own temperature sensor means 16, and its own solar powered electricity providing means 18. Since each road marker reflector device 14 is self-contained, there is no need to connect the road marker reflector devices 14 with wires 12 as in the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1.

The road marker reflector device 14 has electricity storage means 20. The electricity storage means 20 may be in the form of a storage cell or any other suitable and appropriate device.

The road marker reflector device 14 is shown provided with two light-reflecting glass devices 22. These devices 22 are provided with appropriate gases which change light on receipt of a non-continuous electric current.

As shown in FIG. 2, the road marker reflector device 14 comprises an outer rubber casing 24.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown in an illustrative manner the workings of a road marker reflector device which may be used in the apparatus of the present invention, and which may form part of a road marker reflector device 6 or a road marker reflector device 14.

In FIG. 3, there is shown a road marker reflector device 26 which IS an electrochomic road marker reflector device 26. The road marker reflector device 26 comprises a transparent housing 28, a first conductor 30, a second conductor 32, an ion storage part 34, an electrolyte ion conductor 38, an electrochromic layer 38, and switch means 40 connecting the first and second conductors 30, 32. As shown in FIG. 3, the electrolyte ion conductor 36 is positioned between the ion storage part 34 and the electrochromic layer 38. The ion storage part 34 and the electrochromic layer 38 are themselves positioned between the first and second conductors 30, 32. The transparent housing 28 is made of glass but it may be made of another material if desired.

The road marker reflector devices, 6, 14, 26 are preferably such that the first colour is white. The first and the second colours may be any suitable and appropriate colours.

The road marker reflector devices used in the present invention may comprise a metal body, and a flexible support portion secured in the metal body. The metal body is for being positioned in a hole in the road 4. The flexible support portion may be for containing the electrochromic part of the road marker reflector device, when the road marker reflector device is an electrochromic road marker reflector device. The flexible support portion is preferably made of rubber, and such road marker reflector devices may be the general construction known as cat's eyes.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings have been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus an alternative design for the road marker reflector devices may be one in which a body has a flat bottom portion which contains adhesive for being heated and then enabling the road marker reflector device to be stuck on a road. The solar powered electricity providing means is preferably a solar panel device but other constructions may be employed. The switch means 40 shown in FIG. 3 may be of any suitable and appropriate construction. The light reflecting devices 22 shown in FIG. 2 may alternatively be of a rectangular shape, or other desired shape. One or more rectangular shaped light reflecting devices 22 may extend substantially entirely across a facia 42 of the road marker reflector device 14 shown in FIG. 2.

In all embodiments of the invention, where the road marker reflector devices are light emitting diodes, then the light emitting diodes may be multi-coloured light emitting diodes. The colour of the light emitting diodes can then change according to the temperature of the road surface. For example, if the temperature of the road surface is normal, then the light emitting diodes can emit a white light. If the temperature of the road surface falls below 0° C., then the white light may change to another coloured light, for example yellow. In all embodiments of the invention, the light emitting diodes may be used with or without reflectors. When used without reflectors, then in all embodiments of the invention, the road marker reflector devices may just be road marker devices. The apparatus of the present invention may be arranged automatically to come on and emit the appropriate light at dusk, or at any other suitable and desired predetermined time. Colours other than white light when the road temperature is above freezing, and yellow light when the road temperature is below freezing, may be employed. A solar cell may be employed to charge a battery during daylight hours, and may then be used to power the electronics of the apparatus during hours of darkness. In order to minimise power demands placed on a solar cell and battery combination, the apparatus of the present invention may have a circuit with the smallest possible power consumption, especially when the apparatus is charging in daylight hours. For this purpose, a low power digital micro-controller may be employed. The power consumption may be reduced to 4 mA if the light emitting diodes are pulsed. A “sleep” function may be used to effectively turn off all of the control electronics whilst the apparatus is charging in daylight. The micro controller may check the charging voltage periodically, for example every minute, thereby effectively avoiding an unwanted drain on the storage battery or batteries. The design of the apparatus of the present invention may take into account the fact that in winter the sun is low in the sky and thus may shine less on the apparatus, thereby providing less solar power for recharging the battery or batteries. Thus, for example, the curved Fresnel lens may be placed over the solar panel, in order to help focus and redirect sunlight onto a solar panel for providing a better current return in poor sunlight conditions. Multi-coloured light emitting diodes are preferred but other types of light emitting diodes may be employed. The size of the apparatus can be kept to a minimum using surface-mount technology. One or more solar panels may be employed not only to provide electrical power, but also to verify if it is day or night, i.e. there is no voltage generated by the solar cell at night, with the apparatus of the invention being operational during the night and non-operational during the day. This light sensing function may be used to check for the presence of a vehicle headlight. In this mode of operation, the apparatus may remain off (conserving battery power) until a vehicle has approached, at which point, the appropriate light emitting diode or light emitting diodes would be lit. When the vehicle has passed, the light emitting diode or diodes may then be turned off after a short period, thereby saving on the amount of power used, and helping to reduce the overall size of the apparatus and improve performance. If desired, the apparatus may utilise a single large solar power system, for example provided on a lamp post or other suitable support, and this unit could then be used to power, for example, an entire stretch of units of the apparatus of the invention which are all wired together serially. Thus, for example one mile of units of the apparatus of the present invention could be powered from a single large solar power system. 

1. Apparatus for indicating the formation of ice on a road, which apparatus comprises a plurality of road marker reflector devices for reflecting light from vehicles, temperature sensor means for sensing temperatures above and below those temperatures at which ice may form on the road, and solar powered electricity providing means, and the apparatus being such that: (i) the road marker reflector devices are of a first colour at temperatures above which the ice may form, and are of a second colour at temperatures below which the ice may form; (ii) the road marker reflector devices change between the first and second colours in response to an electric current; (iii) the temperature sensor means causes a first electric current to be passed from the solar powered electricity providing means to the road marker reflector devices for causing a change of colour from the first colour to the second colour consequent upon the temperature sensor means sensing a temperature below which the ice may form on the road, whereby the road marker reflector devices reflect light of the second colour and indicate that ice is on the road; (iv) the temperature sensor means causes a second electric current to be passed from the solar powered electricity providing means to the road marker reflector devices for causing a change of colour from the second colour to the first colour consequent upon the temperature sensor means sensing a temperature above which the ice may form on the road, whereby the road marker reflector devices reflect light of the first colour and indicate that ice is not on the road; and (v) the road marker reflector devices change from the first colour to the second colour and from the second colour to the first colour when the electric current is a non-continuous electric current, whereby a continuous electric current is not required to maintain the road marker reflector devices in the first or second colour, and whereby consumption of electricity from the solar powered electricity providing means is minimised.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which there is one of the temperature sensor means for the plurality of the road marker reflector devices, whereby the temperature sensor means is remote from the road marker reflector devices in use of the apparatus.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which each one of the road marker reflector devices is provided with its own temperature sensor means, whereby the temperature sensor means forms part of the road marker reflector device in use of the apparatus.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which there is one of the solar panel electricity providing means for the plurality of the road marker reflector devices, whereby the solar panel electricity providing means is remote from the road marker reflector devices in use of the apparatus.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which each one of the road marker reflector devices is provided with its own solar power electricity providing means.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the road marker reflector devices are electrochromic road marker reflector devices
 7. Apparatus according to claim 6 in which the electrochromic road marker reflector devices each comprise a transparent housing, first and second conductors, an ion storage part, an electrolyte ion conductor, an electrochromic layer, and switch means connecting the first and second conductors.
 8. Apparatus according to claim 7 in which the electrolyte ion conductor is positioned between the ion storage part and the electrochromic layer, and in which the ion storage part and the electrochromic layer are positioned between the first and second conductors.
 9. Apparatus according to claim 7 in which the transparent housing is made of glass.
 10. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the road marker reflector devices are light emitting diodes.
 11. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the road marker reflector devices are such that the first colour is white.
 12. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the road marker reflector devices each comprise a metal body, and a flexible support portion secured in the metal body, the metal body being for being positioned in a hole in the road.
 13. Apparatus according to claim 12 in which the flexible support portion is made of rubber.
 14. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the road marker reflector devices each comprise a body having a flat bottom portion for being stuck in position on a road.
 15. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the solar powered electricity providing means is a solar panel device. 